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Foster kids deserve more than theater

Re: “Supervisor confronts officials after third foster care death” (Page A1, April 25).

The death of a child under county supervision is a tragedy of the highest order, and it demands accountability, honesty and a sober examination of systemic failures.

Supervisor Slyvia Arenas’ comments, “How many children could die under your leadership and you still have a job? If they’re brown, maybe five? If they’re white, none?” were not helpful. What happened to Jaxon was horrific, the result of ignored safeguards and systemic breakdowns, failures that occurred under her watch on the Board of Supervisors.

To suggest that county staff allowed this tragedy because of the child’s race is not only unfounded, it is unfair, inflammatory and harmful to the very employees who are working under immense pressure in a system that has been destabilized for years.

Residents deserve better than theatrics. County employees deserve better than public humiliation. And Jaxon’s memory deserves better than political framing in a moment that demands truth, accountability and reform.

Joe Lopez
San Jose

Newsom has changed his tune on billionaires

Re: “Wealth tax likely headed to ballot” (Page A1, April 28).

Gov. Gavin Newsom now opposes this wealth tax, and Californians should ask why. Did Newsom side with the billionaires because he wants their money for his next political campaign?

If this is kissing up to the billionaires, then Newsom should purchase a pair of his infamous “knee pads” that he was selling as mock merchandise for people kissing up to President Trump.

Is this wealth tax needed to cover the massive budget shortfall expected as a result of Newsom’s lavish spending? Will he leave office with a legacy of sticking the bill to the people of California?

Is he working on this budget problem? The answer is no because he’s out peddling a new book about his favorite topic: himself.

I teach corporate leadership, and humility and budget responsibility are the marks of a trusted leader.

Curtis Panasuk
San Jose

Debates are no way to learn about hopefuls

Re: “Hopefuls roll with punches” (Page A1, April 30).

I watched the second debate between candidates for governor because I missed the first and will never watch another. It is a useless way to assess the values by which a candidate will govern.

I might as well have watched a machine gun contest for all the useful dialogue. Everyone was spouting words as fast as possible to max out their time slot. It tells me almost nothing about the candidate.

This isn’t even a debate. It’s a verbal slugfest in which only the viewer gets pinned. I encourage everyone to skip these verbal wrestling matches.

Allen Price
Half Moon Bay

Iran was a threat that had to be neutralized

Re: “The war Trump started in Iran has already diminished America” (Page A6, April 29).

As a former naval officer, I disagree with the views of former naval officer Jon Duffy.

Iran is run by a theocracy, mostly unsupported by the Iranian people. Iran’s theocracy seeks to dominate the Middle East and become a nuclear power. How does one deal with an irrational regime that machine-gunned protesters in the streets of Iran and then destroyed its own economy by closing the Strait of Hormuz?

Iran is a threat to world peace, and but for President Trump and United States leadership, it would go unchecked.

Ed Kahl
Woodside

Hold, don’t waste, your vote for governor

If you don’t want to see a MAGA governor, don’t vote early.

My strategy for the governor’s race is to wait until near the end of May to vote. I will be voting for the Democrats’ front-runner (who might not be my first choice, but will be my strategic choice).

Xavier Becerra has hit 10%, so he’ll be one of the debaters. We need to see Becerra, Katie Porter and Tom Steyer debate each other. After they do, one of them will emerge in the polls as the front-runner. There can be no supporting a fringe candidate. There can be no trying to convince people that your person is the one if they’re polling below 10%.

This election is about keeping the fourth-largest economy in the world out of the hands of MAGA.

Barbara Banke
Felton

Enough is enough with Trump’s likeness

I have always been very proud to be an American. When I have been fortunate to travel to other countries, I show my passport with pride. I usually receive at least some element of respect.

Tuesday, it was announced by the State Department that they have plans to put President Donald Trump’s photo on the inside cover of American passports along with his signature. In addition, the Treasury Department is now preparing to mint and issue money with the president’s picture on it. He wants them to be “as large as is possible.”

I will be embarrassed to show my passport when traveling. I will no longer expect to be treated with respect and will not be surprised when I receive rude treatment. The president’s ego has been stroked. Isn’t it time to say, “Enough is enough”?

Norman Orloff
San Jose